Rob Giroux is currently the union health and safety representative for Unifor Local 1119, representing workers at the Howe Sound Pulp & Paper Ltd. mill in Port Mellon, British Columbia. Rob is also the BC Regional Council Health, Safety and Environment Committee Chair, representing Unifor members across the province. He has authored and supported numerous consultations to WorkSafeBC.

Rob’s numerous accomplishments include being a licensed TapRooT® Root Cause analysis instructor, a designated Discussion Leader for Unifor’s National Education Department, and a Fire Safety Training and Certification Trainer for new fire recruits in British Columbia. Rob’s 40 plus years of health and safety activism and dedication to his members and B.C. workers have earned him the top honour of Unifor’s Bud Jimmerfield award in 2025. A witty and calm demeanour combined with endless energy and dedication have propelled Rob in his career in occupational health and safety.

Who was Bud Jimmerfield?

Bud Jimmerfield was a tireless Health and Safety, Environment and Workers’ Compensation activist, not just at his workplace but at other workplaces and in communities from coast to coast.

Bud worked as a machinist for 31 years, exposed every working day to cancer-causing metalworking fluids at an auto parts plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. When Bud was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the age of 47, the compensation board initially denied that his cancer was caused by exposure to metalworking fluids at his place of work. Bud and his union fought back, presenting evidence to an appeals board that agreed that Bud's cancer arose from workplace exposure. This appeal decision was ground-breaking and resulted in national attention on the effects of exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.

It has been 25 years since Bud's death in January, 1997, 18 months after his diagnosis, at age 49, leaving behind his eight children and wife Diane.

Before he died, Bud charged union activists with an important responsibility “don’t mourn my death, fight for the living and do your best to try to prevent future occupational diseases, death and injuries from occurring.”

As Bud’s union, Unifor continues his legacy through activism and education. Since 1999, the union has presented outstanding health, safety and environment activists with the Bud Jimmerfield award.

Previous Recipients

• Robert Girard, Local 1937, 2024
• Dave Churchill, Local 28, 2023
• Marc Roussel, Local 219, 2022
• Ed Steers, Local 199, 2021
• Richard Clark, Local 697, 2020
• Karen Paton-Evans, UniFaith Community Chapter, 2020
• Todd Sleeper, Local 88, 2020
• Dave Stewart, Local 598, 2020
• Mark Bruce, Local 1996, 2020
• Angie Martz, Local 229, 2020
• Shirley Egan, Local 444, 2019
• Grant Truscott, Local 686-B, 2018
• Roger Haggerty, Local 592, 2017
• Emil Mesic, Local 707, 2016
• Susan Markus, Local 1859, 2012
• Nadia Anton-Collins, Local 707, 2010
• Gord Piper, Local 114, 2009
• Wayne Butler, Local 20, 2008
• Gary Parent, Local 444, 2007
• Dave Renaud, Local 222, 2006
• Jamie Wright, Local 88, 2005
• Karen Willsey, Local 2168, 2004
• Ken Bondy, Local 200, 2003
• Bob Bourrier, Local 100, 2002
• Dick Martin, Canadian Labour Congress, 2001
• Jim Mahon, Local 1520, 2001
• Hector McLellan, Local 27, 2000
• Jim Campbell, Local 195, 1999